EB Ordering Frustration

[Billygoat]

Hello,

Although I rarely post here, I read this board often. Although some of this is off-topic venting, some of it is not and I figured I'd share. I've recently experienced a great deal of frustration when trying to order some EB products. Firstly, it's important to the story to mention that I live in Canada. I went online last night to Music123 where I had previously had a great experience, loaded up my card with Slinky's as well as all varieties of wonder wipes (very excited to try these out) and went to check out. It comes up with a message that they can no longer ship to Canada. I'm currently waiting for an email back from them as to why that is but what a heartbreak!

So next, I go to Musiciansfriend.com and the first thing I do is check in their FAQ's as to whether they ship to Canada. Some products they do but they must be marked with a maple leaf. Alas, I started with checking the wonder wipes and no maple leaf. I looked at all of the big US online music stores and much to my surprise, no luck anywhere. This is supposed to be the age of e-commerce and I can't get some simple bass accessories shipped to Canada? Ugh! I do of course understand this isn't EB's fault but just kinda silly.

Now the one question I do have for EB or anyone else on this forum who might know the answer is why are the prices a good deal higher right on the EB website here than the online music stores? Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting some unrealistic blowout prices here or anything as I'm guessing you outsource the "store" part of your website to a third party company that needs to make some cash on each item sold but the prices are not even competitive.

The price for a pack of slinky's on Musiciansfriend.com: just under $17 (4 string). The price here: $25... That's almost 50% more expensive! The wonder wipes were a considerable amount more expensive here too.

Can someone please explain this? I'm not trying to be a douche bag by asking this and I love EB products but I think it's a pretty reasonable question.

Thanks

 

[WillPlay4Food]

There's actually a simple answer to this. Most manufacturers don't want to get into a price war with retailers of their products, so if they sell any products directly at all, the price will be MSRP. This way, the distributors / resellers of a company's products don't have to worry about getting into a price war with the manufacturer and the manufacturer doesn't have to worry about their distributors / resellers dropping their products.

 

[SteveB]

Billygoat,

While I can only speculate.. I'd guess that the pricing is to avoid EB competing with their dealer network. This is not uncommon when companies sell direct in addition to retail. If EB had blowout prices on their web site, why would anyone buy from their dealers? Why sell direct then? To give people without a local dealer the opportunity to buy.

Just my guesstimation.

Edit: WillPlay4Food beat me to the punch..

 

[Billygoat]

Thanks gents! That actually makes a lot of sense and I hadn't considered that. I appreciate the responses. Consider the case closed!

 

[kevin]

Hi Billygoat,

Contact our Canadian distributor for a list of dealers that can directly ship WW's and other EB products to you. Here is there contact information:

Charlie Argall Music 3266 Yonge St. #1709
Toronto, ON M4N-3P6
Canada
P: (416)488-1645
F: (416)488-3643

Our on-line store is only set up to sell within the U.S. Prices are based on a standard "fair price" discount. We aren't looking to take customers away or undercut our dealer base, but rather better serve the end customer. When an order is placed through the EB store, our dealers get the first opportunity to fill it....make the sale and supply the customer with the product. If it is a product that no dealer in your area currently stocks......or the order isn't quickly filled by a EB dealer. The we(EB) will fill and ship the order directly from the factory. It is a great system that benefits all sides.

Please contact Charlie Argall Corp. ask for Dan Lear, he will get you taken care of.

-Kevin

 

[Billygoat]

Thank you very much for the info Kevin. At this point, I'll just go to my local Long and McQuade. I've been ordering stuff online from US retailers for the last while due to the Canadian dollar closing in on the US. The US retail prices are usually considerably cheaper on most items even considering exchange/duty/shipping.

Being that I learned a valuable piece of information from the last question I asked, can someone explain why despite our currencies now being only 4 cents apart on the dollar, identical products are noticeably more expensive in Canada? I know this isn't an economics forum but you guys are on a roll here.

 

[kevin]

we've explained that one a few times, use the search function and you'll find the answer.......


Now back to supplying 80+ countires with EB/MM products. Anybody bored? Go check out some of the Bands that are battling for a spot on the Taste of Chaos Tour....... sign up and log your vote!

Battle Of The Bands

 

[Big Poppa]

Billy they are more expensive due to taxes freight and an additional layer of distribution.

It is our fault that MF and Music 123 dont sell to Canada. The same logic as why we dont undercut our dealers selling sdirect. what Canadian distributor or dealer would support us if we undercut their system?

Great questons and I hope you got acceptable answers.

 

[Oh! Henry]

I'm also in Canada and suffer the same frustration. However after comparing the prices on 20th SR5's on bass central and what I paid at my local dealer, I realised that even with the Mighty Canadian dollar, after shipping/taxes/duty/and brokerage........we don't get such a huge bargain. I actually think my dealer gave me a killer price on the SR5!

And to make matters worse. Musicians friend is not such a big friend to us in quebec, cause even the items with the maple leaf are not shiped to us. Oh well, at least we have some of the most beautiful women in north america


...........Oh and we also have Poutine